Groundbreaking Leukemia Treatment for Pediatric Cancer Demonstrates OU Health's Leadership in Cancer Care and Research

A clinical trial is setting a new standard of care for pediatric leukemia, underscoring OU Health and the University of Oklahoma’s shared commitment to advancing patient care through innovative research and education.

The trial, led by OU Health pediatric hematologist-oncologist Rene McNall-Knapp, M.D., professor of pediatrics in the OU College of Medicine and conducted at the Jimmy Everest Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders showed success in treating children with precursor B cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (B-ALL), the most common childhood cancer. By combining the immunotherapy drug blinatumomab with standard chemotherapy, the trial achieved a three-year relapse-free survival rate of 96% for children with standard-risk B-ALL, compared to 87.9% for those who received chemotherapy alone.

“This is why research is so important – so we can continue to make these jumps forward in the quality of care. This drug is a game-changer,” said Dr. McNall.

Diagnosed in 2019, 6-year-old Bentley of Duncan, Oklahoma, received treatment through the clinical trial and remains disease-free today, joining the ranks of children whose lives have been transformed by the research and trials conducted by OU Health and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences. Within just one month of being enrolled, Bentley’s leukemia was in remission.

“After learning about the clinical trial, we decided it was what we wanted to do. Bentley did really well from the start, and today, he is back to a normal 11-year-old’s life. The whole experience took a toll on us, but it also made our family stronger and more tight knit. We’ve learned to love a little bit harder” said Bentley’s mother, Jamie Wilson.

B-ALL already had a high survival rate of about 85% for all patients diagnosed with the disease, but seeing an improvement of 10% is significant, McNall said.

The trial showed similar success across 228 clinical trial sites worldwide. Now, giving blinatumomab in combination with chemotherapy to children with standard-risk B-ALL, the most common childhood cancer, will be standard practice.

As part of an academic medical center, the Jimmy Everest Center’s participation in this multicenter trial, conducted through the Children's Oncology Group, plays a major role in advancing medical knowledge while training the next generation of pediatric oncologists. Medical students and residents actively participate in the center's research activities, gaining experience in both patient care and clinical research methodologies.

"Our involvement in this trial demonstrates how our tripartite mission comes together," said Dr. McNall. "We're providing exceptional patient care, conducting transformative research, and educating future healthcare leaders – all while bringing the latest advances in cancer treatment to Oklahoma families."

Blinatumomab's success represents a significant advancement in targeted therapy. The antibody drug works by connecting T cells with leukemia cells, enabling the immune system to fight the cancer more effectively. This approach typically results in fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy, marking an important step forward in pediatric cancer treatment.

Jimmy Everest Center continues to lead in pediatric cancer care through participation in national clinical trials, integrating research findings into patient care protocols, and training medical students, residents, and fellows in the latest cancer treatments.